Shloka 7
Brahmā Counsels the Demigods; Journey to Kailāsa; Śiva’s Tranquility and Brahmā’s Praise
नाहं न यज्ञो न च यूयमन्ये ये देहभाजो मुनयश्च तत्त्वम् । विदु: प्रमाणं बलवीर्ययोर्वा यस्यात्मतन्त्रस्य क उपायं विधित्सेत् ॥ ७ ॥
nāhaṁ na yajño na ca yūyam anye ye deha-bhājo munayaś ca tattvam viduḥ pramāṇaṁ bala-vīryayor vā yasyātma-tantrasya ka upāyaṁ vidhitset
Lord Brahmā said: “Neither I, nor this sacrifice, nor you other devas, nor even the embodied sages know the measure of Lord Śiva’s strength and valor, for he is self-governed. In such a situation, who would dare offend his lotus feet?”
After Lord Brahmā advised the demigods to go to Lord Śiva and beg his pardon, it was suggested how he should be satisfied and how the matter should be placed before him. Brahmā also asserted that none of the conditioned souls, including himself and all the demigods, could know how to satisfy Lord Śiva. But he said, “It is known that he is very easily satisfied, so let us try to satisfy him by falling at his lotus feet.”
FAQs
This verse says that neither Brahmā, nor the sacrificial ritual, nor embodied beings—even sages—can know the full measure of Śiva’s strength and prowess because he is ātma-tantra, fully independent.
After the sacrifice was disrupted and devastation occurred, Brahmā emphasizes Śiva’s transcendental, uncontrollable potency to discourage attempts to “manage” or oppose him and to restore proper reverence and humility.
It teaches humility: do your duty and devotion sincerely, but don’t presume you can control outcomes or judge great souls—respect divine autonomy and avoid offenses.